Rights Group Urges Pakistan To Halt Deportations Of Afghan Migrants
Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan migrants, citing concerns over unlawful detention, harassment and forced returns.
Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan migrants, citing concerns over unlawful detention, harassment and forced returns.
In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Amnesty said it was deeply concerned about the treatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and urged authorities to respect their rights in line with international law.
On Friday, January 9, the rights group said in a post on X that Pakistani authorities must ensure the protection of Afghan refugees, stressing that people in need of international protection should be safeguarded in accordance with international human rights standards.
The appeal comes amid a sharp rise in the return of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has said that at least 2.8 million Afghans returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in 2025. Of that total, about 1.8 million were deported from Iran and 930,000 from Pakistan.
In its annual report released in December 2025, UNHCR said 67 percent of Afghan migrants were forcibly deported from the two countries, noting that deportations increased by 62 percent compared with 2024.
UNHCR has repeatedly warned that many Afghans returning to their country, particularly women and girls, face serious protection risks amid widespread human rights violations under Taliban rule.
Human rights organisations have urged Pakistan and other host countries to suspend forced returns and ensure that Afghan refugees are not sent back to conditions where they could face persecution or serious harm.
